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Following the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' mul-
timillion-dollar debt, officials from UF's top governing body
approved a set of financial guidelines for UF on Thursday.
The Board of Trustees' Committee on Finance and Facilities
recommended the eight principles, which outline responsible
accounting procedures. The entire board will consider the pro-

posal at today's meeting.
"To the extent that we can, we'd like to avoid other situa-
tions like [the CLAS debt]," said Dianna Morgan, the commit-
tee's chairwoman.
CLAS was never practicing fraudulent accounting, said
trustee Al Warrington. Instead, college officials just didn't fol-
low "principles of financial management."
UF Provost Janie Fouke said in.an interview that UF's bud-
get directors and new department leaders will receive financial
training. This program has been in the works for some time,
she said, but the CLAS debt spurred officials to speed it up.
A committee to decide how UF's budget will be allocated is
also in the works, she said. It will review each college's respon-
sibilities and give them the resources they need, she said.

SWarrington also said that at $55 million, UF's current con-
struction costs "seem out of control."
He suggested the university should focus on supporting
faculty members instead of expensive
UF construction projects. UF President
Administration Bernie Machen agreed.
"We have a lot of work to do on the
personnel side," he said. "It's reflected in our salaries."
Last week, CLAS officials announced a plan to gradually
reduce faculty to save money. In an interview after the meeting,
Machen said prioritizing faculty is a "university issue" that is
not linked to CLAS's plan. The college needs to do what it can
to cut costs, he said.
"It's simply a balancing act," he said.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Attack leads to gunfire

Glittering gala
Shaylee Mehta performs a traditional Indian dance along with four other
women at the South Asian American Student Assembly. See story, pg. 3.

By DOMINICK TAO
Alligator Writer
dtao@alligator.org

Two SFCC students were attacked
outside their southwest Gainesville apart-
ment early Thursday morning, according
to a police report.
One student, Clinton Howard, used a
.45 handgun to thwart the two attackers,
shooting one in the chest.
Two men were charged with burglary
and battery, and one was taken to the hos-
pital after receiving "nonlife-threatening
injuries," according to the report.
Colin Douglas Williams Jr., who lives
in Alachua, was arrested not far from
the crime scene, near the intersection of
Southwest 13th Street and Southwest 16th
Avenue, at 9:14 a.m.
Patrick Jensen Fort, who was shot in
the attack, was also arrested.
Jeremiah Smith, the other SFCC stu-
dent who was attacked, said he was smok-
ing a cigarette outside his second-story
apartment's front door with Howard, his
roommate.
At about 5:20 a.m., a Chevrolet
Avalanche drove by, and the passengers
shouted insults from the truck's windows,
according to the police report.
Smith said he and Howard shouted
back as the truck drove out of sight
around the apartment building.
A few moments later, Smith said, "they
just came running up the stairs."
"They said they were undercover sher-
iff's officers," Smith said. "Well, I thought
for a second they could have been, but
from the way they acted, that went out

the window."
According to police, one attacker be-
gan to grab and punch Smith and another
went after Howard.
"The guy just ripped off my shirt
- man, it was like Hulk Hogan," Smith
said.
The roommates managed to escape
into their apartment. The attackers fol-
lowed. Then, according to the police re-
port, Howard went to get his gun.
"They said they were undercover
sheriff's officers. Well, I thought
for a second they could have
been, but from the way they act-
ed, that went out the window."
Jeremiah Smith
SFCC student

Across the street at Frederick Gardens
Apartments, Brad Bryant, a UF criminol-
ogy major, was getting ready to go to his
Air Force ROTC physical training.
"I heard yelling," Bryant said. "Then I
heard a gunshot."
Howard fired his gun once. It was
loaded only with a rat shot, a cartridge
similar to a shotgun shell that sprays
small pellets instead of a bullet.
Smith said this is when they called
911.
"I thought it was awesome that ...
within a minute (of the shooting) there
were two cop cars there," Bryant said.
"They always patrol this street because of
speeders. This is the part of town where a
lot of stuff happens."

* UF coach Urban
Meyer must iron
out problems at
running back and
offensive line
Saturday against
UCF. Meyer's Gators
open up the SEC
schedule next
week.
See story, pg. 21.

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* *

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8,2006 R ALLIGATOR, 3

HEALTH

Infirmary offers STD shot

Event flaunts Asian flair

By CHRISTINA KALIHER
Alligator Contributing Writer

Female students can now turn to UF for
protection against a common STD if they're
willing to shell out $450.
This is the first semester that UF's Women's
Clinic has given the vaccine for the human
papillomavirus, or HPV.
"HPV is the most common sexually trans-
mitted disease," said Tom Belcuore, who di-
rects the Alachua County Health Department.
"The four types (of HPV) in the vaccine are
responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancer
and 90 percent of genital warts."
The vaccine, called Gardasil, is adminis-
tered in three doses which UF administers
for a price of $150 each.
The university-has given about 10 shots so
far, said Phylis Craig, a nurse-practitioner for
the Women's Clinic.
HPV is contracted through "skin-to-skin
contact with someone who has that virus or
something that has that virus," Craig said.
"Most often it's from rubbing or cose con-
tact."
The vaccine is effective for at least four
years, she said. Although it's only approved for
females, males are susceptible to HPV as well.

"Guys get HPV. That's for sure," Craig said.
"But the vaccine, this first vaccine, has been ap-
proved for this point in time for women and
girls between the ages of 9 and 26."
Belcuore said the vaccine representss a
big breakthrough" in reducing the number of
deaths due to cervical cancer.
"The four types (of HPV) in the vac-
cine are responsible for 70 percent
of cervical cancer and. 90 percent
of genital warts."
Tom Belcuore
Alachua County Health Department director

Women who have never been infected with
HPV benefit most from the vaccine, accord-
ing to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's Web site.
But those who have already been infected
with HPV can still get protection from the
virus types in the vaccine they have never
contracted.
"At some point, I am sure we will see this
vaccinebecome one of the routine childhood
immunizations," Craig said, "just as we saw
Hepatitis B become routine."

* COMIC, DANCERS WERE
FEATURED AT THE SOUTH
ASIAN AMERICAN ASSEMBLY.

By ALEX TIEGEN
Alligator Writer
atiegen@alligator.org
Dancers whirling their glitter-
ing robes and clacking their bracelets
brought South Asian culture to UF on
Tuesday night.
SThe South Asian American Student
Assembly introduced students to
South Asian dubs and other resources,
and was organized by the South Asian
American Student Alliance.
Paul Varghese, an Indian-American
comic featured on Comedy Central
and on NBC's "Last Comic Standing,"
performed at the Reitz Union Grand
Ballroom. He joked about life as the
son of Indian immigrants, made fun of
Indian food, relationships and spelling
bees, and discussed the lack of South

Asian Americans in entertainment.
He said writer and director M. Night
Shyamalan is an exception.
"How are you going to make a
movie called 'The Village' and not put
any Indians in it?'he joked.
Farheen Akbar, president of the al-
liance and a Pakistani American, said
she invited the comic to lightheartedly
portray obstacles of growing up as a
minority in America.
Dancers from the Hindu Student
Council whirled shimmering saris
and swung colorful clothes to the
beat of Indiarrmusic. Members of the
Pakistani Student Association flaunted
traditional garb in a fashion show.
A-moment of silence honored vic-
tims of an October earthquake that hit
Pakistan and to remember July's bomb-
ing of Indian trains.
The assembly cost about $2,000,
Akbar said. It was sponsored by
the Dean of Students Office's Weeks
of Welcome fund and Student
Government.

The Board of Directors of Campus Communications, Inc.

Publisher of
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This unpaid position may be filled by
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The application for this position is available in The Alligator lobby of The Alligator Building
at 1105 W. University Avenue, each weekday between I and 4pm from today until Septem-
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More information is available for an applicant's mandatory reading at the time an
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Interviews and selections by the Board of Directors will be held at The Alligator offices in a
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Campus Communications, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

04 Bud Light Pitchers
$4 J-ger Bombs / "

"' ... ..

4, ALLIGATOR N FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8,2006

Machen asks trustees to simplify goals, bonuses

By LINDSEY FRANCO
Alligator Writer
Ifranco@alligator.org

UF President Bernie Machen's
compensation for the year could

depend on how well he pays facul-
ty members, expands need-based
aid and improves campus sus-
tainability, or the conservation of
resources for future generations.
Those goals were outlined in

a set of 51 objectives for Machen
and the university that the
Board of Trustees' Committee
on Governance discussed at its
Thursday meeting.
Each year, Machen receives

a bonus from the trustees based
on how well he meets his yearly
objectives. Last year, the board
awarded him a $75,000 bonus for
his performance.
The goals also appear in UF's
Strategic Work Plan, a document
that maps the university's route to
becoming a top-tier institution.
But at Thursday's meeting,
Machen said the trustees should
consider a different way to chart
UF's progress.
To revamp the goal-setting sys-
tem, Machen said the board should
create "a simplified model" of his
annual and long-term goals.
That plan would compress
Machen's yearly and three-year
objectives into a single document.
"It's very aligned with where
we want to go," said trustee
Dianna Morgan, the former senior

vice president of public affairs for
Walt Disney World.
If the trustees eventually ap-
prove Machen's plan, his yearly
compensation could be affected,
said committee Chairman Mac
McGriff.
UF He said
Administration several
goals listed
in the current plan would remain
from year to year.
"There are a lot of them that
won't get accomplished in a year
that will stay there and keep you
focused," said McGriff, who works
as private investor in Jacksonville.
Machen also highlighted three
of his own goals for the univer-
sity, which include analyzing UF's
financial needs and strengthening
the communication between trust-
ees and other administrators.

Framed with the Board of Trustees' meeting table, UF President Bernie Machen discusses his goals for
UF during a trustees meeting at Emerson Alumni Hall on Thursday.

Although Student Senate of-
ficials recently decided against
altering the way seats are dis-
tributed, one lawmaker says
maintaining the status quo is
unfair.
At Tuesday Senate meeting,
Sen. Robert Agrusa announced
the Judiciary Committee would
not redistribute seats for the up-
coming year. One of that com-
mittee's roles is to decide how
many seats each college and
student living area should be
given in Student Government's
legislature.
But if Sen. Ryan Nelson has
his way, SG will alter its seat
distribution by Spring.
Nelson plans to propose a
measure that would remodel
the Senate's seat apportionment
to reflect the methods used by
the U.S. Congress.
Byusing thatmethod, Nelson

said, SG rules would align with
national law.
"If it's good enough for
the United States Congress, it
should be good enough for SG,"
Nelson said.
"If it's good enough for
the United States Con-
gress, it should be good
enough for SG."
Ryan Nelson
Student senator

If the Senate votes in favor
of Nelson's bill at its meeting
Thursday, graduate senators
would gain an additional seat
- which some lawmakers say
is necessary anyway.
Graduate students account
for 21 percent of UF's student
body, but there are just seven
senators, about 8 percent of the
Senate, representing them now.
Cecilia Amador, a graduate

senator with the Unite Party,
said graduates deserve more
representation.
S"The system is not designed
forus," she said. ''\hat right ii
right. If we deserve another -eat
v. e should get another seat"
But Agrusa c ho leads. the
Judiciarv Committee, said reap-
portiotnr-ent iS- inneces-an
About Five protfess'.ond
school are also represented i.
the Senate, and including those
slots with other graduate seat-
makes representation more
even, Agrusa said.
"The issues are the same for
most (graduate and professional
students)," he said.
Sen. Heshan "Grasshopper"
Illangkoon said although he
supports Nelson's bill, he thinks
graduate representation in the
Senate is already "pretty cose to
what we want."
S"Getting one seat would be
just enough for the semester,"
he said. "I wouldn't expect more
than that, really."

Editorial
We all have addictions. Whether it's drink, drugs or just
the sound of your own voice, there's probably something in
this world you can't live without.
Hi. We're the Independent Florida Alligator, and we're
addicted to cheap jokes.
As far as addictions go, that's not so bad. People tangle
with rougher stuff every day. Still, it's a 550-word-a-day
habit, and we have to get our fix. So bear with us as we begin
this week's edition of ...

Darts & Laurels

We start things off by tossing a we'll-never-hear-crikey-
the-same-way-again LAUREL to the late, great Steve Irwin,
a man who was obviously addicted to danger. Better known
as the Crocodile Hunter, Irwin was killed Monday when a
stingray stabbed him in the chest with its poisonous tail
barb. Experts say the attack was "a one-in-a-million thing."
Irwin was filming a documentary called "The Ocean's
Deadliest," a joke we won't touch with a 10-foot pole. But
we will say this: Irwin, a respected conservationist when he
wasn't a beloved TV personality, died doing what he loved.
He will be missed.
,Next, we launch a failure-must-be-your-anti-drug
DART at the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which
is responsible for those anti-marijuana ads we all know and
love. Since 1998, the federal government has spent $1.4 bil-
lioni on the ads, and the president just requested another
$120 million for next year's TV spots. But according to a
recent study, they don't work. Well, duh.
It gets better, though. The study also shows that expo-
sure to the anti-marijuana campaign makes some kids more
likely to smoke weed which the Office of National Drug
Control Policy tells us leads to harder drugs. So good job,
guys. Somewhere out there, a teenager is turning tricks be-
hind a Dumpster for a nickel bag, and it's all your fault. We
hope you're happy.
On the subject of addicts, we toss a step-away-from-
the-mirror DART at the men and women of the Swamp
Party, who chose candidates this week for the Fall
Student Government election. What are they addicted to?
Themselves, of course.
From Student Body President John Boyles recently
crowned UF's "most adorable SG official" to the lowliest
functionary, Swamp has some great people. They're good
enough, smart enough and, gosh dam it, people like them.
And of course, they're not afraid to say so.
Party bigwig Josh Weiss said this year's slate includes
"the most outgoing, the most talented and the most en-
gaging students" that Swamp has ever fielded. Last year
was great, of course, but this year ... wow. The Alligator
suspects next year's candidates will be you guessed it
even better somehow. Amazing!
Thankfully, not all SG candidates wear heart-shaped
lockets with their own faces inside. The Alligator slides'a
how-are-you-guys-the-most-normal-ones LAUREL to the
insurgent Pants Party for deflating the rampant narcissism
on display this week with a little good-natured humor. It's
a shame they have no chance of winning a seat.
Speaking of which, U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris the
most tarted-up and darted-up politico in Florida some-
how snagged the Republican Party's Senate nomination in
this week's primary. For that, we shoot at what-the-hell-
were-you-thinking DART at everyone who voted for her.
You know she's going to lose, right?
SThen again, her candidacy should at least be good for a
laugh. We just hope Harris takes UF's new online alcohol
course before her campaign bus rolls into Gainesville. This
is a college town, after all. She could hurt herself.

S the independent florida

alligator

Stephanie Garry Jake Ramsey
EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR
Ashton Grosz
MANAGING EDITOR
The Alligator encourages comments from readers. Letters to the editor should not exceed 150
words (about one letter-sized page). They must be typed, double-spaced and must include the'
author's name, classification and phone number. Names will be-withheld if the writer shows
just cause. We reserve the right to edit for length, grammar, style and libel. Send letters to
letters@alligator.org, bring them to 1105 W. University Ave., or send them to P.O: Box 14257,
Gainesville, FL 32604-2257.Columns of about 450 words about original topics and editorial
cartoons are also welcome. Questions? Call 376-4458.

Opinions

-r^.. (,^J'a, /-- '-E37 T-

fWHOA, THIS ROOM MUST tE
A GIANT TIME MACHINE BKCAUSM
WE STARTUP CAS$ AT
THE SAMETIME WE aa
I rP A!ASS/ =-

ALLIGATOR
www.alligator.org/opinions

,- //. ).F

Column

Capital punishment is costly, immoral
T he word "capital" .in capital punishment comes nurture that steered the course of a
from the Latin for head, "caput." Capital punish- criminal's life with enough certainty
ment therefore refers directly to "losing your head." to execute him?
I think it's fair to say that any state government still en- As much as capital punishment
forcing capital punishment has indeed lost its head. is a moral issue, it is also an eco-
One month ago, Gov. Jeb Bush signed another death nomic one. The National Bureau of
warrant for convicted murderer Clarence Hill. Hill was Todd Portnowitz Economic Research estimates that
supposed to be executed in January, but the Supreme Witz's Wit between 1982 and 1997, the cost of
,Court stayed his execution. They ruled that Hill and letters@alligator.org capital punishment trials was $1.6
others on death row had the right to challenge the use of billion.
lethal injection as a method of execution. Florida would save $51 million a year by punishing
Lethal injection has come under suspicion recently all first-degree murderers with life in prison. Capital tri-
based on research-done right here in the state of Florida, als are long and expensive and in cases like Clarence
at the University of Miami. A UM study found that in 43 Hill's, in which constant appeals burden the justice sys-
of 49 investigated cases, condemned prisoners did not tem, the cost of actually executing a condemned prisoner
receive enough sodium thiopental to induce a quick and is outrageous.
effective state of unconsciousness. That means they were So why not save our tax dollars for education and ad-
awake while being executed. dress the problem of criminals at its foundation?
Is that not cruel and unusual punishment? Besides, Perhaps the most effective argument in favor of the
who gave us humans the right to take another human's death penalty is, "What if someone killed a person you
life in the first place? love?" My answer is that I, of course, would go insane
I don't see where the popular support for capital meaning I would be in no place to make a sane decision
punishment comes from. Eighty-eight countries have regarding the criminal's life.
abolished capital punishment, whereas only 69 retain it. We cannot, as sane voters, allow politicians like Jeb
Of those 69 countries, 29 have not executed a condemned Bush to act as demigods, meting out life and death. With
prisoner in the last 10 years. Clearly, the United States is gubernatorial candidates Charlie Crist and Jim Davis
lagging. both supporters of capital punishment running
America is a mostly Christian country. Isn't God's mes- against each other in the upcoming election, there isn't
sage to love unconditionally even your enemies? Yes, much room to turn.
in the Bible, God takes revenge countless times. But we But if we as voters want to see justice carried out with
are not God. human decency and our tax dollars put to good use
How can one be pro-life and pro-death penalty at the we're going to have to speak up.
same time? You may argue that a fetus is innocent, where- Todd Portnowitz is an English junior. His column appears
as a criminal is not. But how can we judge the nature and on Fridays.
The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the Alligator.

Reader response
Today's question:' Should fresh- Thursday's question: Are pref-
men have to take UF's new online erential admissions policies for
alcohol course? minority students fair?
Vote or post a message at www.alligator.org

28% YES
72% NO
67 TOTAL VOTES

I I'

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2006 E ALLIGATOR, 7

Letters to :i.e Editor
Cyclists deserve equal protection of law
A short time ago, another UF student
cyclist was hit from behind and killed by a
motorist on Williston Road. This incident
was merely the latest in what has been a
long line of similar tragedies the last sev-
eral years.
The car's driver was not under the
influence, and therefore, under state law,
was only charged with a minor traffic
infraction. The only penalty was a small
fine. Any motorist who hit a pedestrian
or motorcyclist would get the same lax
treatment.
The unavoidable conclusion seems to
be that the law puts a much smaller value
on the lives of cyclists than it does on the

victims of other crimes. The
involved clearly does not serve
cient deterrent to those drivers v
of respect for other users of the:
This does not adequately rep
value our society should place
citizen. It is time for us to come t
a community, to take this issue
and to share our thoughts an
with our local officials.
One life is just as important
The law must be changed to be
sent Gainesville's citizens and
protect those on our roadways
protection the most.

light fine
as a suffi-
with a lack

0 E i

roadways. Sharpton unworthy of speaking gig
>resent the As many of you know, Accent has in-
Son every vited the Rev. Al Sharpton to speak at the
together as Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Tuesday
seriously night. But he isn't coming to preach a
d feelings sermon.
Instead, Sharpton is to deliver "a mes-
as another. sage of humanitarianism, tolerance and
tter repre- activism." Yet his record is marred by a
to better slew of scandals including false accu-
who need stations in a rape hoax, alleged drug deals
and countless prejudiced statements.
Scott Erker Sharpton stated at a Harvard forum
8LS

in 1994, "White folks were in caves while
[blacks] were building empires. ... We
taught philosophy, astrology and math-
ematics before Socrates and those Greek
homos."
It seems Sharpton's humanitarianism,
tolerance and activism only extend to the
black, straight, Christian community.
Not only is Sharpton a disgrace to the
Democratic Party, but he is a disgrace
to all those truly dedicated to the ideals
he claims to represent. While Sharpton
might be worthy of a Gainesville forum, I
suggest he save his laughable routine for
Gator Growl.
Nick Charles
1LS

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12-15 hours per week, possibly
leading to a paid position.
If you are a UF or SFCC student and
are CURRENTLY ENROLLED
IN FALL CLASSES and
are eager to gain valuable sales
experience, stop by The Alligator
1105 W. University Aveftiu
to fill out an application and class schedule
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the independent florida

alligator

BUSINESS OFFICE
Student needed for ACCOUNTING work.
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Should be able to work 4-6 hours
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Apply in person at:
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No phone calls please.

the independent florida

alligator

EARLY MORNING DELIVERY
Must be eextgremely reliable. Need truck,
van or large car. Must be available 5:15am
-7:45am, M-F. Apply at 1105 W. University
Ave. No calls please A/A EOE

LIKE TO WORK WITH LUXURY CARS?
Bright? Enthusiastic? Like people? Must be
over 22, stable work history, clean driving re-
cord, drug-free, pers ref. www.carrsmith.com
for details. 12-6-72-14

GREAT PAY FOR THOSE WHO STAY! Park
Place Car Wash is looking for hard workers
for all positions. Cashiers (fullday availability)
& line workers (AM 8:30-1 & PM 12-6 shifts
avail) 15-40hrs-your choice. Great work envi-
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Across from Home Depot. No calls please
10-31-41-14

Hillel Jewish Student
Center
This Shabbat, do it Jewish! Join
us every Friday night at 6:30pm.
Your choice of student-led
services: Orthodox, Conserva-
tive and Reform, followed by a
free glatt Kbsher Shabbat dinner!
We also serve the only daily
gourmet Kosher lunch and dinner
in Gainesville. Join us for great
food, Shabbat, Jewish Programs
and more...

Chrirst Co(rnrirurv Church
Tired .'f. .--erprn o:~ti :fE "h.,jpi
This wNi.lend rr, i n,,. :- unmLr.
-We call i ',:.:o'fifi f rth.r ._,, Ir -.
fresh *, r.: h irgc -. ir. bh. i t of ll. voi
get to share it with close inends. Did
we mention it's served with Krispy .
Kreme? Christ Community Church-
10am Sundays at Oak Hall School on
Tower Rd. West of 1-75. Where we
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gospel of Jesus Christ. It's worth wak-
ing up for.
www.christcomriunitychurch.com
379-4949

PHOTOSHOP EXPERT WANTED.
Photoshop expert needed to optimize digital
landscape photos for local artist. Portfolio of
work would be great but not required. Good
pay for good results! 352-379-4952 9-18-
10-14

Grapevine Deli located at 48 SW 2nd St. is
S now accepting applications for Deli workers.
.if- Experience preferred. Please apply in per-
son (lower level of the parking garage across
from the Market Street Pub. 9-8-4-7,

University City Church of
Christ
www.gatorsforchrist.org,College
ministry meets at University City
Church of Christ Bible class
Sunday at 9:30am and Wednesday
at 7pm- plus service projects and
much more!

The Rock of Gainesville
What are you doing Sunday, Sept.
3rd? The Rock is celebrating their
19th Anniversary Service at The
Phillips Center for Perform-
ing Arts on Sunday, Sept 3rd,
10am. Live music, drama &
dance. Free Food for students.
Come join us fortthis FREE
event. For more information, call
331-Rock or visit our website
www.therockonline.org.

The Phonetics Laboratory in the Program in
Linguistics is looking for people who:
1. are 18-30 years old
2. spoke only American English growing up
(so did their family)
3. never had any speech or hearing prob-
lems

You can earn $10/hour by participating in
a study of the perception of speech sounds
from foreign languages.

If you are interested in participating, please
contact Melissa landoli (iandoli@ufl.edu).
9-18-8-14

Applications now being taken. To gain valu-
able experience at a job with flexible hours,
apply TODAY at Room 1302 at the O'Connell
Center. Positions available for Usher,
Securtiy, and Technical. Great opportunity to
work with other students as well ss a chance
to learn new skills. Last day applications ac-
cepted: Sept 11th. 9-11-2-14

Onsite Career Fair
Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q is currently hiring
for servers and will be having an On-Site
Career Fair on Wednesday, September
13th at the following location: 9213 NW 39th
Avenue, Gainesville, FL. To find out more
about this smoking' opportunity, representa-
tives will be on-site taking applications from
10am to 4pm. 9-11-2-14

Things have changed for UF's
cross country teams.
The Gators have a new at-
titude and a reinvigorated drive
as the UF men and women gear
up for today's season-opening
University of Tampa Classic.
"We've had a change in men-
tality," UF coach Jeff Pigg said.
"We've been willing to make
sacrifices.
"I mean, we had guys that
were running 90 miles a week
during the summer and working
really hard."
The teams hope to remain on
the steady rise they have been on
since Pigg took over as coach of
both squads in 2002.
The men's team is looking to
improve on last year's run.
In 2006, the Gators picked
up their first at-large bid to the
NCAA Championship in the his-
tory of the program.
The feat marked the team's
second consecutive berth at the
NCAAs, something that had
never been accomplished before
by a UF cross country team.
The men's team returns a
talented core of runners to help
improve on the 2005 finish.
Of the seven runners who par-

It's not

rnlIe to

fool with

Nature,

R K"*i; Y (;
.;

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:

RECYCLE

ticipated in last year's NCAAs,
six will be returning.
The group includes sopho-
more Jeremy Criscione.
As a freshman last year, he
home the team's best time at the
NCAAs and finished 112th in the
overall standings.
The men's squad also returns
junior Steven Hassen and senior
Daniel Parker, who finished third
and fourth on the team, respec-
tively. The two also ranked 132nd
and 142nd nationally.
"We've been willing to
make sacrifices. I mean,
we had guys that were
running 90 miles a week
during the summer and
working really hard."
Jeff Pigg
UF cross country coach

This does not mean the Gators
have all their questions answered.
In fact, they're far from it. UF fin-
ished 23rd out of 31 teams in last
season's final event.
UF must also find a way to
replace departed sophomore
Henok Lechebo.
Lechebo recorded the team's
highest finish in five of last
season's seven events, includ-
ing the Southeastern Conference
Championship and the, South
Regional Championship.

"We had some good stuff hap-
pen last year with the team," Pigg
said. "But we're getting ready for
this year now."
On the women's side, the team
is trying to improve on last year's
fifth-place finishes at the South
Regional and SEC champion-
ships.
The Gators consist mostly of
underclassmen and will be one of
the youngest squads ever fielded
by the program.
Junior Lindsay Sundell placed
among UF's top three in every
2005 event.
Another top returnee is sopho-
more Jacy Kruzel.
She enjoyed a stellar fresh-
man season by recording the
team's best time in the SEC
Championship.
According to Pigg, both 2006
teams must advance to the
NCAA Championship in Terre
Haute, Ind.
He also wants to see the teams
improve on last season's finishes
in the SEC championships.
The women's squad hasn't
qualified for the NCAAs since
1999.
"We're going to have to out-
work other people," Pigg said.
"Right now, they believe they are
good and they expect to be good.
"It's reallyabout being a part
of this athletic department. When
you're a part of it, you expect to
do well."

running attack, Meyer said freshman
Mon VWilliams will play and has cho-
sen to bum the Texan's redshirt. But
that's not the only area of concern.
"If we don't get better this
week, then next week after
this game, Tennessee's
going to be a tough one.
Tougher than it could be."
Tate Casey
Junior tight end

The players returning from inju-
ries and suspensions need to prove
they can contribute for 60 minutes.
Meyer described the play of wide
receiver Andre Caldwell (broken leg)
and defensive end Ray McDonald
(torn ACL) as rusty after UF's
opener.
Derrick Harvey had to spell both
McDonald and Jarvis Moss several
times.

At defensive tackle, Steven Harris
and Marcus Thomas are expected
to play after sitting out last week's
game.
The freshmen need to improve,
too.
Both receiver Percy Harvin and
quarterback Tim Tebow made mis-
takes in their debuts.
Harvin's gaffe cutting off a
route early led to Chris Leak's
lone interception and Southern Miss'
only points.
Meyer said the biggest game-to-
game improvement for his acclaimed
freshman class will show itself on
Saturday.
"I think because you get the game
jitters out of the way," he said. "So,
yeah, I buy into that."
Even UF's offensive star of the
Southern Miss game, receiver Dallas
Baker, has some work to do.
"[Quarterback Chris Leak and
I] didn't connect," said Baker, who
caught nine passes for 123 yards
and a touchdown against the Golden
Eagles. "I ran bad routes. We just
have to polish up on everything."

IIfE tCd-tY lllIdiur
UF tailback DeShawn Wynn celebrates after scoring a touchdown during spring practice. Wynn and
the remainder of UF's running game has just one more tune-up game before playing Tennessee.

E S.HP
r 52137-481 -15 UIVV

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Friday, September 8th, 1:t)0-5:00 pm, Reitz Union 282
1:00-1:45pm Making an impression at Showcase
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3:00-3:45pm Interviewing Do's and Don'ts
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September 11th-15th, 10:00am-3:00pm, Career :..- ... .- :rK
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Ifhat happened on
your inside happened
on your outside, would
you still smoke? Learn
not to bum.

The alligatorSports Brand Picks
Column has gone medieval.
With UF set to host Central Florida
this weekend in the Swamp, we here at
ye olde alligatorSports wanted to find
an expert source who could give us ye
finest insight into Saturday's matchup.
After some deliberation, followed by
some nasty slapping and hair pulling,
we unanimously agreed that no one
could better provide us with more
savvy analysis on the Golden Knights
than a real life knight or at least some
dude who acts like one at an elaborate
dinner theater.
So we immediately ran to the nearest
phone and dialed Orlando's Medieval
Times Dinner and Tournament, where
after several days of waiting and hun-
dreds of dollars in long-distance phone
charges, we were finally connected with
the Yellow Knight, Jason Jones.
The Yellow Knight said he would
consider joining the Golden Knights if
they requested his services, but a few
rule changes would have to be made.
"I would be on horseback, but ev-
erybody else would be on foot," Jones
said. "I'll be the running back, but I am
going to be on my horse with my lance
and I am going to run straight up the
middle. I might not need the lance, so I
would be nice and I wouldn't even use
the lance for the second half."
The Yellow Knight would also de-
mand that his squire have access to the
playing field at all times.
"The squire would bring me water,
and if somebody touched my armor
and messed it up, he would have to
shine it right there," Jones said. "I can't
play the game with dirty armor."
In fact, he said that UCF would easily
defeat the Gators if they had his assistance.

SEE PICKS, PAGE 23

UF FOOTBALL

Gators look to

remove kinks

* THE GATORS PLAY UCF,
THEN TENNESSEE.

By NICK ZACCARDI
Alligator Staff Writer
nzaccardi@alligator.org

It's getting louder.
And louder.
And louder.
The tune may have already
started to circulate through the
Gators' helmets at practice.
"Good ole Rocky Top,
Rocky Top Tennessee, Rocky
Top Tennessee:"
The Volunteers' 35-18 win
against then-No. 9 California
last Saturday may have turned
the volume dial up a few
notches.
While UF coach Urban
Meyer has tried to instill the
dbn't-look-ahead philosophy,
a trip to Neyland Stadium still
lingers in the back of players'
minds.
"If we don't get better this
week, then next week after this
game, Tennessee's going to be
a tough one," junior tight end
Tate Casey said. "Tougher than
it could be."
Of course, the No. 7 Gators
(1-0) aren't looking past the
showdown with the class
of Conference USA's East

Division, Central Florida, at 6
p.m. Saturday.
The Gators' first two oppo-
nents accomplished two things
Tennessee didn't last season:
They made a bowl game
and finished above .500.
That didn't stop one UF
player from muttering bulle-
tin-board material.
"I've got to be honest I
think maybe a lot of the [UCF]
guys there maybe wanted
to come to the University of
Florida," sophomore tight end
Cornelius Ingram said. "So
they might feel disappointed
in a certain kind of way."
That may fire up the Golden
Knights, but it's the Gators
who need to improve if a win
at Rocky Top is in their future.
Most importantly, they need
to find a running back.
Meyer originally labeled
starter DeShawn Wynn (neck
stinger) questionable for
Saturday but said Wednesday
that the senior should play.
"I'm a little disappointed
with the tailback position,"
Meyer said after the 34-7 win
against Southern Miss. "We
had a couple chances to make
a couple big plays."
Looking to improve the
SEE ADVANCE, PAGE 20

UF coach Urban Meyer yells during the season opener. Meyer has
one week to solve his team's problems.

UF coach Urban Meyer
compared Central Florida to
his former teams at Utah and
Bowling Green Thursday.
"Go, let's go, let's go, let's
go," Meyer said to describe the
attitude the Golden Knights
will have this weekend in tak-
ing on the powerhouse Gators.
"That is your chance to get
your name in the books."

BROWN WAITING FOR
OPPORTUNITY: Verell Brown,
the 2005 Face of Florida
Football, was cut by the New
England Patriots last week
but still hopes to make an NFL
roster.
"I'm just going to give it a
couple of weeks, but I'm sure
I'm going to find a spot some-
where," Brown said.
Brown has been in
Gainesville and visited the
Gators during their Wednesday
practice.

"He's a little under the
weather. He practiced
hard. They're going to go
take care of him now."

Urban Meyer
UF football coach on Percy
Harvin's illness

A perennial benchwarmer
as a receiver for most of his
career, Brown burst onto the
scene in 2005 as a cornerback.
The former ,Gainesville

High standout led the team
with three interceptions while
also logging 41 tackles.

HARVIN SICK: Freshman
receiver Percy Harvin prac-
ticed Thursday after missing
Wednesday's practice with
a flu that has swept through
much of the team.
"He's still a little under the
weather," Meyer said. "He
practiced hard. They're going
to go take care of him right
now."
SEE NOTES, PAGE 22

NFL
Dolphins 17
Steelers 28
College football
Oregon State 14
Boise State 42

after UF quarterback Chris Leak
aptly read the children's book "Little
Granny Quarterback" to a room of
about 40 first-graders, Jemalle
Cornelius took his turn.
"He seemed to be very comfortable
and made a real connection to the chil-
dren," said Kutura Godbolt, who taught
the class at Finley Elementary School. "It
was very friendly and warmhearted, and
he seemed to really capture the hearts of
the children."
In one of his many visits to Gainesville
schools, Cornelius joined Leak and run-
ning back Kestahn Moore to read to
Godbolt's class earlier this semester.
The senior wide receiver read the fic-
tional children's book "Miss Nelson Has
a Field Day."
The book is about a woman who
shapes up a team, making the players
work together to make it a winner.
Coincidentally, it is Cornelius who has

acted out the very lesson of that children's
book.

TEAM PLAYER
On a team with a defensive tackle who
fathered three kids and another one who
failed two drug tests this year, Cornelius
stands out as a class act.
He has emerged as a leader on and off
the field and in the community.
"Coach (Urban) Meyer kind of chal-
lenged me because I was kind of a quiet
guy, kind of stayed to myself," Cornelius
said. "I'm here to help people, and be-
sides football, to help people on and off
the field."
Last season, cornerback Vernell Brown
held a similar position, and Meyer named
him the "Face of Florida football."
By his impact on offense and special
teams, Cornelius may be the MVP of
the No. 9 Gators (6-1, 4-1 Southeastern
Conference) this year.

UF senior wide receiver
Dallas Baker (left) con-
gratulates UF senior
wide receiver Jemalle
Cornelius for making a
29-yard touchdown re-
ception from Chris Leak
during the third quarter
of the Gators' 34-7 win
against Southern Miss
Sept. 2.
Cornelius (below) takes
a break between plays
on the field during
the Gators' 42-0 win
against Central Florida
on Sept. 9.

I im ;asey / Alligator star

Most know Cornelius for his pass-
catching skills. He ranks second on the
team with 325 receiving yards on 17
catches, including three touchdowns.
"He's a playmaker," defensive lineman
Ray McDonald said. "Watch on Saturday
- he always makes a big catch in clutch
situations."
Without recording a catch in a 27-17
loss at Auburn two weeks ago, he still
played a factor.
That's because Cornelius holds a spot
on the kickoff coverage, punt coverage
and punt-return teams.
"He does everything for me," Meyer
said "He makes play after play, especially
-when you need a play to be made. If I had
to dr.ft a team in college, I'd probably
take him either one or two with (safety)
lRtMc-'I.'. Nei.-..,>r *,. :. .. .- .. .
lMe\er has made Cornelius the only
played to se ve as-i captain for every game.
And i\ hen Cornelius and the others go
out tor the coin toss, the receiver is the
only one domng anm talking.
"The other guvy out there are hood or-
nament- le\ er said. "They,go out there
and iwae to the crowd so their mom and
dad can take pictures of them. Jemalle
Cornelius is the captain of this team. I
trust him.

'THAT'S MY BOY'
Believe it or not, Cornelius' deep re-
i.tionshlp i\ ith Meyer started out a bit
rock\
When the t-vo first met, Cornelius
called his father Clinton, a senior pastor
in Fort NMeade. \\-ith bad news.
'Imalle said. '(Meyer) wasn't very
happy\ \ ith me but it was more of a chal-
lenge.' Clinton said. "He had found out
that Jemalle was a good kid but he wasn't

hanging out with the kids that get in
trouble. He wanted Jemalle to be there to
make sure that they did the right things."
That meant that Cornelius would have
to break up the monotony of calling his
dad every night and start going to clubs
with his teammates.
Clinton said that Jemalle hadn't gone
to clubs in the past, but the idea of min-
gling with his teammates while watching
out for them sparked him to follow them
into the Gainesville night.
"Jemalle took that challenge," Clinton
said.
The prospect of keeping his teammates
in line was tough for Cornelius, who had
never been in trouble, his dad said.
Jemalle did receive detention once, for
allegedly throwing a pencil while work-
ing on a project as a teenager.
Despite that ugly incident, Meyer has
placed the receiver on his Leadership
Committee in both of his seasons at UF.
Among other things, Committee mem-
bers are responsible for handing out in-
house punishments to players who com-
mitt disciplinary infractions:
The second-year coach has referred to
the ,wide receiver as "my boy" and said
that Cornelius would earn "Champions
Club" status every week regardless of
his play.
Players may earn weekly entry into the
club based on grades given by position
coaches.
"He'll always grade out a champion.
It's like saying Nate Meyer didn't grade a
champion," said Meyer, referring to his 7-
year-old son. "I hope Nate turns out to be
like him because Jemalle is a special guy."
Meyer also has called upon Cornelius
to mentor troubled players.
"(Meyer) kind of lets me know, and
sometimes a lot of guys just come to
me and tell me that they're struggling
with certain things," said Cornelius, a
family, youth and community sciences
major. "They need prayer or something
like that."
Explained Meyer: "He's the best; he is
Vernell Brown. You have no idea what I
ask (Cornelius) to do. I don't have time to
tell you. He does everything I ask. He rep-

UF senior wide receiver
Jemalle Cornelius (above)
runs for a 34-yard gain on a
pass from Chris Leak during
the second quarter of the
No. 7-ranked Gators' 42-0

Sept. 9.
Cornelius (left) celebrates
after making a 21-yard
touchdown reception from
Chris Leak with 6:35 re-
S maining in the first quarter
of the Gators' 21-20 win
against Tennessee on Sept.
16 in Knoxville.
y /Alligator Staff

resents this university the way it should
be represented."
Cornelius' message got through to re-
ceiver Riley Cooper last week.
Slowed by two turf toes, the freshman
dropped a couple passes and heard about
it from the coaching staff.
Then Cornelius came to the rescue.
"I was kind of standing by Coach
Meyer when he told Jemalle to go and
get him," receiver Cornelius Ingram said;
"It's neat because right after that hap-
pened, I think (Cooper) caught two or
three deep balls in a row."
Added Cooper: "I forget what he said,
but it obviously had an impact. He just
told me to keep my head up."
Even if a teammate needs help in mi-
nor matters, Cornelius serves the role of a
reliable neighbor.
"Even if you call him on the cell phone
and ask him for some sugar or something
like that, he's there," tailback Kestahn
Moore said.

A RT.1SSE1l FUTURE
Cornelius took his talent off campus
in January, going to Washington, D.C., to
represent UF at the Knight Commission
Summit on the Collegiate Athlete
Experience.
It was there that he participated in a
panel that discussed issues such as sub-
stance abuse, performance-enhancing
substances and misogyny among student-
athletes.
"I don't think a lot of programs are
focused on choices and values; they're fo-
cused on scoring touchdowns," Cornelius
said at the Summit.
For Cornelius, the experiences with
6-year-old kids, 20-year-old athletes and
those in the nation's capital have pro-
vided career training.
He has thought about following his
father, Clinton, and becoming a youth
pastor.
"To whom much is given, much is
required," said Cornelius, paraphrasing
part of Luke 12:48. "It's a lot of respon-
sibility."

ij:j
";vj~tr~ n

PICKS, from page 21

"I don't know about the Golden Knight, but the Gator doesn't want to have anything
to do with the Yellow Knight," he said.
"A Gator has no chance against the Yellow Knight," Jones said. "I will layeth my lance
on the Gator, and my lance will go right through the Gator."
Luckily for the Gators, I wouldn't expect to see the Yellow Knight in a Golden Knight
uniform any time soon.
While his wench was a graduate of UCF, there is apparently some animosity between
the Yellow Knight and UCF mascot, Knightro.
"I wanted to be the Gold Knight, but they came and thi, stole it from me," Jones said.
"So I am a little angry right now."
If it came down to it, Jones said, the Yellow Knight would certainly win in a battle.
In fact, he had no problem taking a jab at the mascot.
"[Knightro] is a very feminine knight, let's just say that," Jones said. "I have seen that
way that Golden Knight rides, and it is embarrassing."
Harsh words.
Now onto the picks.
Batting leadoff with a fortunate 10-0 record is Ron Zook dungeon master Nick "I
hope Tebow doesn't mind my Mon Williams fling" Zaccardi, who has already purchased
three kegs of Welch's White Grape Juice Cocktail in anticipation of sober SEC road trips.
Shirley Temple six-packs weren't available.
Batting in the two-hole with a 9-1 mark is Percy Harvin beat writer Dan "I'm trying
out this new 2 percent fat-free lard product" Treat, who owns just two pairs of pants,

The University of Florida Periodontal Disease Research Clinic
is seeking individuals for a research study that will examine
gingivitis (gum irritation, redness, swelling, or bleeding). The
study requires that you come to our clinic up to 5 times over a
19-week period.

You may be eligible if:
You are at least 18 years of age.
You are in good general health.
You have at least 16 natural teeth (including 8
in the front)
You must have Gingivitis (gum irritation,
redness, swelling, or bleeding)

Eligible participants will have photos taken of their gums and
receive an oral examination, a product kit and financial compen-
sation of up to $125.00. A select group of people will receive a
dental cleaning. If interested please call our office at (352) 273-
6675 between 8 AM and 1 PM M-F for more information.

C j4ell.- r
Y;

24, ALLIGATOR U FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8,2006

55*h ooewl ntpa unle. DS Wyn a-e on th -ield

24r ALLIGATOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2006

Not even Ron Zook could nave pulled this one off.
In an inexplicable upset of gargantuan proportions, Central Florida pulled
off tfhe upset of the season maybe of the decade. The Golden Knights (2-
0) squeaked past UF (1-1) in the Swamp in a 33-31 thriller.
"Honestly, I think Florida came in here a little cocky," said bewildered ESPN
analyst Kirk Herbstreit after the game. "I don't think they were prepared.
This should teach them a harsh lesson in the future."
UCF pile-drove quarterback Chris Leak into the turf time and time again,
sacking UF's starter twice and forcing four crucial interceptions.
Offensive line coach John Hevesy appeared to vomit on the sidelines after
Leak's second interception
With the game scoreless halfway through the first quarter, UCF defensive
end Rashidi Haughton charged unabated toward Leak and smashed him
from the blindside. When the dazed Leak peeled himself off the turf, he
saw his wobbly pass picked off by cornerback Johnell Neal and run back 51
yards for a touchdown.
Leak finished 18 of 35 with three touchdowns and four costly interceptions.
UCF workhorse tailback Kevin Smith terrorized an overwhelmed defensive
line for 166 rushing yards on 35 carries. He stiff-armed safety Tony Joiner in
the backfield and ran in a 16-yard touchdown scamper that put the Golden
Knights up 14-3
However, Leak would find a temporary groove. He connected with freshman
receiver Percy Harvin on consecutive scores, nudging the Gators ahead 17-
14. When Dallas Baker reeled in an 18-yard touchdown reception with 0:
41 seconds remaining in the first half UF led 24-14 and looked primed for
a rout.
However, without any second half protection and a nonexistent running
game, the Gators crumbled.
UF tailback DeShawn Wynn put in another disastrous performance, rushing
seven times for two yards.
He also dropped an easy catch that became an interception.
Still, with UCF up 30-24, the Gators had four minutes to hold the Golden
Knights and get the ball back However, UCF recorded four consecutive
first downs. UCF coach George O'Leary would give the no-mercy signal and
ordered a field goal try with one-second remaining. Down 33-24 with one
final play remaining, UF's Jemalle Cornelius ran back the kickoff 90 yards
for a touchdown.

Flash back to a celebratory pep
rally at the O'Connell Center
on April 7, and you may still
hear the cheering, clapping and
commotion of 10,406 people re-
joicing that Joakim Noah, Al
Horford and Corey Brewer had announced
their return to college basketball.
But one conversation could have easily
made the crowd's cheers morph to tears
and reduce their rejoicing to heartbreaking
woes.
"I was almost out the door," Brewer said.
"It was a hard decision for me to come back
just because of my situation. I wanted to be
able to take care of my family."
Even though Brewer's family members
live more than 600 miles away in Portland,
Tenn., they are always close to his heart and
in his thoughts, especially his father, Ellis,
who has been suffering from heart condi-
tions and diabetes for the past two decades.
Those ailments prevented Ellis from
attending his son's games. So while his
,teammates' fathers sat in the stands of the
RCA Dome in Indianapolis to witness their
sons achieve greatness at the Final Four,
Brewer's father connected with his son
through a television.
"Thankfully, he looks at him on TV,"
Brewer's mother, Glenda, said. "He's
Corey's No. 1 fan. They are very close, very
close."
When the time came for the junior to de-
cide if he should jump to the NBA, the pros-
pect of supporting his family financially
looked awfully appealing.
But his parents had none of it. They
refused to let money dictate their son's ac-
tions.

"We just talked about,
'Should I leave?' or 'Should I
not leave?'" Brewer said. "It canie

A

.. .. :1 4

Tim Casey Alligator Staf
UF junior forward Corey Brewer (above) greets fans during the men's basketball team's
national championship celebration in the O'Connell Center on April 7.
Brewer dunks (right) on a breakaway on Feb. 11 during the Gators' 74-71 victory over
Arkansas.

tial as a basketball player. It's not about the
money. It's not about taking care of his fam-
ily. It's about him being happy. Corey loves
to play basketball, and he's happiest when
he's on the basketball court."
So Brewer stayed in Gainesville, but his
father's situation in Tennessee has gotten
worse.

HARD DECISION e to COME BAC

down to them saying, 'Make the
decision that you're going to be a. 0
happy with, not what you should do my famailym
for us.'" -Corey Brewer
Brewer's older brother, Jason, discussed
with Brewer the pros and cons about leav- Last week, Ellis had his left leg ampu-
Sing1 '.Sauinesvle.- tated after a sore on his foot progressed into
"I believe you don't make a decision gangrene. He just returned from the hospi-
based on money, and he didn't believe that tal two days ago and was feeling too ill to
either,".Jason said. "We just want Corey to speak for this story.
be happy, to reach his goals and his poten- "My dad lives day-to-day. I don't know

how long he II be here lacion told the
Alligator la t Marclhl hen Ellis' health \\a-
worse than ever.
Ellis seems to be doing -lightli better
now.
"He's in good -.pirnt. la-on said "I
think he's ieaill 'going to be Ok. Thin; a
hard time tor him He hate. -.itttng in the
hospital bed He s iwas in there toi
two eks
Atlrlh- ,h Brcer wanted des-pei-
atel\ to'be be b his father side Ellis
insisted he -tay in CGain- tille
"He calls twio or three times a da\ "
Glenda -aid Hi dadd\- did not \\ant
him to come home He told him their!
was nothing he could do He called hi
high school coach and told him tio all Corei
to tell him nio.t c :nome home
Ultimately Brewier t5 decision to ita\
created a donmlno ,lleet tol the other NBA
potentials.
"Corey and Al will say that we sat down
(and discussed staying or leaving), but I
don't really remember that," Noah said. "I

ff, rn
Tim Casey/ Alligator Staff Andy Aplcella / Alligator
Then sophomores Taurean Green, Corey Brewer and Joakim Noah (top left, left to right) talk on the sidelines during the Gators' 77-72
win against Wake Forest on Nov. 17 in Madison Square Garden during the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic semifinal in New York, N.Y.
Brewer (top right) walks off the court after the Gators suffered their first loss of the season to Tennessee on Jan. 21 in Knoxville, Tenn.
The Volunteers defeated the Gators 80-76.

Andy Apicella / Alligator

remember Corey saying that he was,going
to go back, and to me, knowing Corey's
background financially, that was more pow-
erful. Knowing his financial situation back
home and (Corey) saying, 'OK, I'm going
to come back for my junior year,' I thought,
'How selfish would it be for me to leave?'"
The '04s are often characterized by their
unselfish play, so should it be any surprise
that their selflessness permeates throughout
every aspect of their lives?
"Corey's always been an unselfish kid
and player," Jason said. "He always thought
about putting somebody else before him-
self. I attribute that to my mom and my dad
because they are both hard workers.
"My dad used to work in the tobacco
fields just to put food on the ,table. He
doesn't think about being the superstar on
the team."
While Brewer may not be concerned with
superstar status, his athleticism and talent
have made him one of UF's elite players.
Last season, he was named Southeastern
Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
He ultimately always brings out the best in
his teammates.
"He's a great teammate and a great guy

to be around," freshman guard Brandon
Powell said. "In practice, we know he's
going to go hard and he's going to just
compete, and he teaches you to compete.
If you go up against Corey in practice, you
have no choice but to bring your A-game
because if you don't bring it, he'll just take
you. He just forces you to play your best at
all times."
Even if Brewer decides to forgo his se-
nior year, he will still influence the team in
other ways, mainly' through his leadership
tendencies.
"Everything he knows, he tries to tell
me," Powell said. "Maybe when he leaves,
I'll be here and I'll teach a guy coming in
what he tried to teach me."
In the meantime, Brewer is just focused
on improving his abilities, so when the time
does come to go to the next level, he will
be able to sign the best deal possible and
finally take care of the ones who love him
the most.
"I know I can get better and that I can
grow as a person," Brewer said. "So I think
I'll be better prepared (to go pro) after this
year."

Back to back? History not on UF's side as it aims at another title

By JENNA MARINA
Alligator Staff Writer
jmarina@alligator.org

The wait is over the Gator boys are back.
Nearly seven months have passed since the UF men's basketball team
claimed its first national title, and the Gator Nation has been salivating at
the thought of a repeat ever since the team's star players announced they
would be staying in Gainesville for at least one more year.
Junior Joakim Noah plans on delivering that dream but cautions that
the journey will be a long one.
"I feel like we can make history and do something really special this
year," Noah said. "Of course, the goal is to win a second championship,
but to get to that point, there's a lot of places we have to go before that,
and I think we can't forget that. We can't think about March yet."
The Gators ascended to the pinnacle of college basketball last spring.
UF trounced UCLA 73-57 in the national championship game en route to
a 33-6 record.
Six days ago, the Gators found themselves right back where they
ended ranked No. 1 in the nation by the ESPN/USA Today Coaches'
Preseason Poll.
UF is the first championship team to return all five starters in more
than eight seasons. This could make repeating which hasn't been done
since Duke in 1991 and 1992 more realistic than usual.
As the hype continues to escalate, the Gators are realizing more and
more the importance of maintaining a level of humility.
"In the game of basketball, there's going to be a lot of humbling mo-
ments whether it's a loss or getting dunked on or getting crossed,"
Noah said. "As soon as somebody's doing well on the other team, the
whole team is going to let you know about it. So I think that's the thing

about us we all keep each other on edge."
UF will unofficially usher in the new season when it takes on
Northwood tonight at 7 in an exhibition game.
But if fans expect to see the same team they watched dominate in the
NCAA Tournament, they better think again.
For starters, there are four completely new additions to the roster.
"I think any time you add different ingredients to the soup, it is going

Alligator File Photo
Walter Hodge, Taurean Grpen and David Huertas celebrate after winning
the men's basketball national championship on April 3 in Indianapolis.

to taste a little different," UF coach Billy Donovan said. "Our guys all
have to work on the team chemistry.
"If you were living in a house, and all of a sudden you decide you have
new guys living in our house and everything was peaceful for a while, it
may change the complexion of your house a little bit."
And then one must consider the team's mentality.
Are they still hungry?
Can they still play unselfishly after winning a championship?
Can they handle the pressure of the bull's-eyes on their backs?
"Generally, when people have success, the next thing that happens is
there is a huge letdown," Donovan said. "There's a lack of motivation in
people. ... From a human element, we should fail this year. We should not
be a great team, we should not work as hard, we should not be as moti-
vated and we should not be as driven."
But Donovan can rest easy because, if anything, his players are more
motivated to hold on to the success they've already tasted.
"This is what we've been waiting for ever since last season ended," ju-
nior point guard Taurean Green said. "We're ready to play again and just
get the whole season started.
"Everybody is going to predict us to win almost every game. We're not
even focused on that."
In return for their focus and hard work, Donovan has promised to
shield his players from the added stress to repeat.
"I am not going to allow anybody to take away from the enjoyment
and pleasure that we are going to try to have as a basketball team taking
on this season and the challenge of this year," he said. "With the expecta-
tions, if you do not get to a Final Four and you do not get to the last game
of the year, I am not going to sit there and look at it and say, 'What a dis-
appointing season.'" '